Tech Tips & Tricks That Actually Feel Magical – Decoding the Arcane Arts of Technology (SM)
I’m pulling the plug on techwizardry.org and heading over to techwizardry.substack.com. Turns out, hosting and domain fees require more than good vibes, and I couldn’t quite generate enough revenue to keep the lights on here. I wasn’t looking to get rich—just break even! Safe to say, mission failed. The Substack is 100% free, so come … Read more
Are Alexa devices worth it in 2026? With Echo Dot prices hitting $100 and Alexa Plus still disappointing, I don’t think so. Here is my honest take on Amazon’s overpriced devices.
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I tested the Sonoff SNZB-02DR2 Zigbee temperature and humidity sensor in Hubitat and Home Assistant. With AAA batteries, a large 3.6-inch display, and perfect reliability, here’s why it’s my favorite budget sensor.
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Does the Ring Alarm System Use Wi-Fi or Z-Wave? The Answer Surprises Most People If you just bought a Ring Alarm System kit, you probably assume everything connects to your Wi-Fi. You are not alone. One of the biggest misconceptions in smart home security is that all Ring devices run on Wi-Fi. The reality is … Read more
On a scale of 1 to 10, I give Home Assistant OpenCode an 11. After three months with the free Big Pickle AI agent, I write zero YAML. Here is how it transformed my dashboards and automations, and how to install it in 5 minutes.
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I finally bought the Baofeng UV5-R Mini for $15 on Prime Day. Here’s my honest ham radio review covering CHIRP setup, real size vs AR-5RM, battery life, and 20-mile repeater performance in rural Arizona.
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The UV-5R Mini is listed as a walkie talkie for adults for survival hunting. I explain why it’s actually a ham radio transceiver that requires a Baofeng UV-5R ham radio license to transmit legally.
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You just got your Technician license and your first handheld. Do you really need to throw away the stock rubber duck antenna? Before you spend more on an antenna than your radio, read this real-world breakdown for new hams.
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Passwords were supposed to die years ago. So why do we still use them? Here’s why passcodes never replaced passwords, why adoption failed, and why most home users don’t even know what a passkey is.
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Looking for the best hardware for Home Assistant without buying a new mini-PC or Raspberry Pi? Here is how I built a fast, stable, bare metal Home Assistant system using a 2012 HP laptop, SSD upgrade, Hubitat integration, and AI-assisted dashboards.
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